Charleston, South Carolina

The historic home at 116 Broad Street in Charleston, South Carolina, was built in 1763 by John Rutledge for his beloved wife, Elizabeth Grimké. John Rutledge was a prominent figure in early American history, serving as a delegate to both the 1st and 2nd Continental Congresses and as Commander-in-Chief of the South Carolina Militia during the Revolutionary War. He was elected as President of South Carolina when it was a republic and later became Governor after it achieved statehood. In 1789, he was appointed one of the first six justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, later serving as Chief Justice from 1790 to 1791 and again in 1795.

The Rutledges were known for hosting lavish parties at their home, entertaining Charleston’s elite, including notable figures like George Washington. Tragically, Elizabeth died in 1792, leaving behind 10 children and a devastated John Rutledge. After her death, Rutledge sold the house, and he passed away in 1800. Over the years, the house passed through various private owners and underwent several transformations, including serving as a boys’ school, law office, and later apartments. By 1983, the home had fallen into disrepair and was abandoned.
In 1988, The Charleston Museum conducted a two-week archaeological excavation at the property to learn more about the Rutledge family’s life.

They uncovered artifacts such as Chinese porcelain, glass, animal bones, and other items from the Rutledge era. Some of these artifacts are now displayed in the ballroom of the John Rutledge House Inn, which welcomes visitors interested in history. The ballroom also holds a leather binder that documents the building’s history, the Rutledge family, and brief biographies of notable figures for whom the inn’s rooms are named.
In 1988, Richard T. Widman purchased the house and took on the extensive project of restoring it to its former glory. After significant renovations, the John Rutledge House Inn opened on March 17, 1989. The inn now offers 19 elegantly appointed rooms with modern amenities, providing guests a taste of 18th-century Charleston.

This historic home has stood for over two centuries, surviving wars and even being struck by a cannonball during the Civil War. Along with its rich history, the John Rutledge House Inn is also known for its ghostly encounters. Visitors and staff often report hearing the sound of heavy furniture being moved on the upper floors, despite the rooms being empty. Some claim to have seen a woman in an 18th-century ballgown gliding across the ballroom toward the balcony. In Room 11, the Thomas Heyward, Jr. room, guests have reported sightings of a Confederate soldier sitting by the window, either reading or gazing out at the street.

One of the most frequently mentioned spirits is a 12-year-old girl named Sarah, who is said to have died in a fire on the property. Sarah’s presence is often accompanied by the smell of phantom smoke. She’s been heard running through the halls, giggling, and sometimes moves objects, flicks lights on and off, and even pulls pillows from under sleeping guests. Those who encounter Sarah describe her as mischievous, adding an eerie charm to this beautifully preserved piece of Charleston’s history.